Braking device



[Jul -13,1926.

' M. BIRKIGT BRAKING DEVICE File a 10. 1921 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 13,1926.

M. BIRKIGT BRAKING DEVICE Filed Jan. 10- 1921 s Sheets-sheaf: 2

July 13 1926.

M. BIRKIGT amcme nsvlcz Filed Jam-10. 1921 a sheets-shut s July 13 1926.

M. BIRKIGT BRAKING DEVICE Filed Jan. 10. 1921 8 Sheets-sheaf 4 M. BIRKIGT BRAKING DEVICE Filed 10. 1 1 a Sheets-Sheet s for July 1; ,1926.

8 Sheets-Sh. 6

M. BIRKIGT BRAKING DEVICE Fi10 d Jan. 10, 1921 July 13 1926. 1,592,715

M. BIRKIGT BRAKING DEVICE Fi Jim. '10 9 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 3 Sheets-Shoot" a fiymfar' M. LBIRKIGT BRAKING DEVICE Filed Jan 10 1921 July 13 192.6.

Patented July 13,1926.

UNITED STATES IARC BIRKIGT, OF BQIS-COLOMBES, FRANCE.

BRAKING nnvrcn' Application filed January 10, 1921, Serial No. 438,277,

This invention relates. to improvements in braking devices, and more-particularly to such devices for motor vehicles, which cooperate with the source of motive power for the vehicles, in applying the brakes to the vehicls when desired.

The invention consists in providing the braking devices of the specified kind with such means thatthe muscularly actuated controlling means such as a-foot pedal or hand lever will be ableto act alone upon the brakes themselves with which such devices are to be combined, without necessarily bringing into action the system through which the members which are in movement during the running of the vehicle cooperate in the braking action; such acting alone bein mainly desirable and obtained when the ve icle is at rest or when, the vehicle being on the back drive, the moving member which furnishes energy to the said devices rotates itself in the contrary sense to that in which it is required to'brin into action the said system in view of setting the brakes.

Aside from this principal characteristic, the invention comprises certain additional devices which are preferably used at the same time as the former, and which will be hereinafter described in detail, and especially an arrangement for constituting that part of the said braking system which is used to cause the advance of the vehicle to cooperate with the braking, a suitable clutch so established that its active member proper rotates, around the axis of the other 'members of said braking system.

The invention especially relates to'certain methods of application as well as of. construction of the said devices.

The invention can be readily understood b referring to the following descri tion and tile accompanying drawings, it eing of course understood the same are given by way of examples of the present invention.

Fig. 1 represents a plan view of diagram-.

matic nature and on a small scale, with cer tain part-s removed, -of a motor vehicle with front wheels and driving wheels provided with brakes which are themselves provided, among other means for operating them, with a device disposed according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a section of the said vehicle frame along the line 2-2 of Fig.

Figs. 3, '1, 5 and 6 represent sectlons taken and in Belgium January 27, 1820;

res ectively along the-lines- 33, 4--4, 55 66 of Fig. 2, and showing certain,

an members which enter into theconstruction of the said system.

Figs. 7 and 8 represent front and side.

views respectively of one'of the clutch shoes pertalning to the device.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11, represent respectively a front view with some parts removed and others shown in section,-a longitudinal section with some parts in elevation-and a partial plan view of an alternative form of the system or more exactly of its clutch member.

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 represent in front view, elevation and plan view one of the clutch shoes to be utilized in the alternative form represented in Figs. 9 11.

Fig. 15 is a detail section on the line 2-2 Figure 1, showing the universal joint connecting the sections of the axle.

According to the present invention, and

more especially with reference to preferably. employed methods of construction 'and ap-- the said brakes with means for operating them, the following or similar method is employed.

primary shaft a is constructed in such manner that it can rotate in bearings on the vehicle frame. The shaft a is mounted trans- ,versely of the vehicle frame at a lower level than that of the transmission shaft b of the said frame, and has at one end one or more key-slots a A clutch device is provided, having a member rotatable by the transmission shaft 6, .said rotatable member' bein cooperate with an operating evice acting adapted to v to cause (by means of the controlling 'mem-.

ber of the clutch) an an lar displacement of the said primary sha in the direction which is required for the braking action its construction is such that this result can.

be obtained regardless of the direction of rotation of the driving member and so that the rotating member of the clutch can add its-effect or torque exerted by the o erative means therefor such as the pedal to t e muscular torque transmitted by the clutch cony s nding to may be moreover com trollin member,'this bein the case at least when the vehicle is on the orward drive, the rotatin clutch member at that time being turned in the desirable direction. A ratchet wheel arrangement permits the rotating clutch member to remain at a standstill when the vehicle is on its backward drive.

The said clutch and its associated parts may be advantageously constructed as follows for the purpose of obtaining these various effects.

A tubular shaft 0 is so designed that it shall be relatively short, and 'it can be mounted loosely u on the middle portion of the primary sha t a; the worm wheel d which has preferably a small pitch is mounted in such manner as to be connected to the said tubular shaft 0 through suitable means which shall allow it to operate the said primary shaft, but only when the shaft b and the worm wheel (2 rotate in the direction correthe forward drive; means are provided constituting a free ratchet wheel device, comprising an internal passive member e and an external active member e the said internal passive member being adpted to be keyed upon the middle part of the said tubular shaft 0, and the external member c which is adapted to be keyed on the said worm wheel d. An endless screw f is disposed for the purpose of o erating the said worm wheel, and is mounte on the corresponding portion of the said transmission shaft 6 in a ri 'd manner so that itis cony this shaft. The said worm" wheel and endless screw leted by appropriate means, which not 0 y avoid the rotation of the clutchmember in the undesirable direction during the backward drive, but also cause the tubular shaft 0 to rotate only in the desirable directionfindependently of the vehicle being on its forward or backward drive.

Moreover, should the transmission shaft be of the universal joint type, as indicated in the drawings, the entire assemblage of the before stated members is, in addition to what has been already set forth, designed and dis osed in such manner that the. before specifi corresponding portion of the transmission shaft shall constitute the blocker outer. member of the universal joint device,

stantly rotated as here shown in the drawings. The s s- 0 in bearings,

. next the keyslots a.

tem also includes a casing g which is so 'ssed as to surround the various members fore specified, with the exception of the two ends of the said primary shaft on and of that end of the tubularyshaft c which lies The said primary shaft disposed inside the tubular shaft and the said casing g is mounted on the vehicle frame in the proper mans ner, for instance upon th change box,

e speed as here indicated in the drawings. A clutch is rotatably prises shoes normally in thereagainst is im drum 'h is provided adapted to be mounted rigidly u on the end of the tubular shaft 0, next to t e keyslots a, with the containing portion turned towards the outer side, the said keyslots being thus situated within the clutch drum; the clutch mechanism coma rocker arm 5 mounted inside of the clutch drum and provided with a hub i,

carrying keys corresponding to the keyslots a of the primary shaft a; the rocker arm 2 carries at its ends two spindles i which are parallel to-and equidistant from its axis; the hub is fitted upon the primary shaft as before stated, and secured thereon in order to bring the rocker arm in proximity to the inner disc like bottom of the said drum, the spindles i being turned towards the outside. A pair of clutch shoes 7', j is disposed so that each shoe will articulate at one of its ends with one of the spindles 11 respectively. By exerting an action upon their free ends they can be pushed outwardlv so as to exert a pressure upon the internal surface of the said drum; the springs k k are attached respectively to the inner end of one clutch shoe and to the outer end of the other clutch shoe, in order to maintain the assemblage of the the inoperative position.

An operating plate I is provided with a huh I by which it can be mounted loosely upon the said hub 1?, of the rocker-arm i and this operating plate 1 constitutes a cover piece for the box of the clutch drum h, the plate carries two studs 1 I, mounted in diametrically opposite position, and these studs are so disposed witn respect to the free ends of the clutch shoes that when the plate I is rotated the studs will exert a pressure res ectivel'y upon the corresponding clutch s oes j, j and push the shoes outwardly against the action of the springs in, It, so that the clutch shoes assume the operative position. The adjusting screw Z is mounted upon the plate I with its axis tangent to the circumference described by the axes of the spindles i, 1?, upon the rotation ofthe rocker arm a. This screw 1 acts as' an adjustable stop piece for .one of the spindles i which spindle is extended outwardly (see. Figs 2 and 4% and has'its outer end lod ed within an e ongated recess Z (see Fig. 4 properly disosed for the purpose. upon the plate l. eadjusting screw Z is so disposed that on "the one hand-the spindle which strikes I lled by means of the springs k, k, and w 'ch springs also tend "to hold the spindle i of the rocker lever 21 and the striking 'end'of the and thusmaintain the plate Z in a given position with reference to the rocker lever 1'. An arm Z is attached radially to the outer face of the plate Z, and is employed to operate the. latter in connection with a rod m rovided with a fork'member at each end y which said rod is connected respectively screw. Z in contact ing the brakes upon the hind or driving wheels. This intermediary lever is connected by a suitable braking movement transmission with the braking shaft 0 (see Fig. 1) common to the two eccentrics employed for operating the said brakes and in such manner that when the intermediate lever 0 (see Fig. 1) is angularly displaced blage is obtained causes the correspon 1", now move in the once the spindle iof in the direction proper to the action of the before specified ratchet wheel device (or equivalent means), the said brakes will be thrown on.

With one member of this brake-movement transmission is combined a device which tends to maintain in an elastic manner the said braking shaft 0 in such position as to render the said excentrics inoperative. To this end, an abutment arm a (Fig. 6) is preferably disposed upon an extension of the primary shaft a and submitted to the action of a spring A), in order that the said abutment arman consequently the rimary shaft a shall tend to bear against a corresponding adjustable thrust piece mounted on the vehicle frame .and to re main in a position such that the braking .shaft o will be in the inoperative position hereinbefore described.

With the various members of the system properly mounted as set forth, and having received proper adjustment, especially the clutch shoes 7', y, and their attached parts which are adjusted so as to always provide at least a slight amount of slip between the shoes and the drum even when the pedal 91. is driven down to the maximum, an assemwhich operates in the following manner.

When the vehicle moves or is caused to move forward, the o eration of the pedal 91. ing angular movement of the operating plate I and thestuds 1 same sense, as well as l, thus releasing at the rocker arm iwith which such adjusting screw was previously in contact. 'The said studs drive the free the adjusting screw ends of the clutch shoes-j, j, and the lattersense, and will give rise, through their rocker arm 2', its hub 2' and the keyslots a, to an angular displacement of the shaft a such that the eccentrics controlled by the shaft 0 will operate their respective brake shoes, and the hind brakes are thus thrown on. During this time, the clutch shoes 7', have entered into action against the drumjz, whereupon this latter acts to carry along the said shoes, which intensifies the action commenced by the foot upon the pedal.

In case the vehicle is either not in motion or moves or is caused to move backwards should it be now desired to act upon the pedal n, this pedal will tighten the brake without being assisted by the motor, i. e., the braking will be done exactly as if the braking force increasing system (in order to cause cooperation therewith of the moving parts when the vehicle is running) .did not exist, this being effected by the suitable use of a ratchet wheel device or equivalent means. A braking result is obtained during the backward drive as well as during the forward drive, except that the braking action is unassisted by the motor and accomplished only by the muscular action on the edal.

p If, on the contrary, the vehicle frame is of the type containing brakes both on the front wheels and the driving wheels, and should.

it be desired to establish a system which will also act upon the front wheel brakes,

which is the most valuable feature in the angular sense it will act with equal force upon the said eccentrics. The previously described brake force increasing system is still used, but at the same time (as precisely shown in the drawings) the brake force, equalizing device is made a part of the brake force increasing system. With that end in view the primary shaft (1 is so constructed that it shall take the form of a hollow primary shaft adapted to contain one of the two parts of a shaft provided with a differential; one end of the hollow primary shaft a can then be employed (preferably the end which does not contain the keyslots a) for suitablymounting the tial.

' passed through an of the differential shaft which the differential divides can be shaft a and that the outer ends of these two parts can be respectively mounted in bearings upon the side members of the vehicle frame. Thus the limited. angular brake movement of the primary shaft a is properly distributed between the two shafts q with the. result that the torque received by the left member is equal to that received by the right mem er q. Universal joints 9, 9, are preferably disposed upon the sai shaft parts (1 q in order to avoid their deterioration which could occur through the deformation to which the vehicle frame is constantly subject. Each of the said shaft parts is provided with a lever 1', these being respectively connected by suitable means to the corresponding eccentric operating levers 7', 1'.

The said suitable means are preferablyand this applies to the case where the vehicle frame has a restricted width at the front end,-constituted each of a simple wire opening in the corresponding side rails of the frame; the size and position of the levers 1', 1, and the levers 1-, 1', being, as understood, suitably chosen for the purpose.

If it is desired to complete the entire braking system by suitable joint braking means in order to secure not, only pedal action but also hand action upon the brakes, such means can be advantageously provided as follows. It is supposed that the hand action is to take effect only upon the drivin wheels, which is the case indicated in the drawings. A joint braking shaft 8 is disposed so as to rotate in bearings upon the vehicle frame and in a position parallel to the said shafts a and to the hind brake shaft 0 and placed between the said two shafts; suitable members (not shown here) are provided to secure the mounting of the said joint braking shafts in bearings. A pair of pushing devices t, t, is disposed .respectively at the ends of the said oint braking shaft 8,. and their pushed or driven parts are mounted respectively in rigid connection with the said shaft ends, each pushing device possessing the same sense of operation. A pair of levers u, u, form part of the respective pushing portions of the said pushing devices; a pair connect one of the said levers u to the abovementioned lever o, and the other to the hand brake lever '11 suitably disposed onthe vehicle frame; a complementary lever u forms part of one of the above-specified pushed portions of the pushing devices t, t; a rod, also of complementary character, is employed to connect the last-mentioned lever 10 to the lever carried on the hind brake shaft 0 for operation of thisshaft.

It will be readily understood that the use fitted into the hollow of rods is employed to of the previously sp members will permit 0 braking effect to maining unmoved, and vice vers lever 0 can the hand lever '1).

Figs. 9-13 represe alternative form The object of firstly, to secure a stron be attained the lever this ecified assembla e of f realizing the anda the said become active without disturbing.

nt, as already stated, an the clutch member.

alternative form is ger pressure on the clutch shoes j andhence on the inner surface d of the clutch dru upon the suppor plate easier adjustment m to t and allow an H, secondly to improve f the studs L on the L, and thirdly clutch member more compac to render the whole of the proper length of the member such as a brake pedal.

In order to obtain the above objects,

L to partially i f a controlling the following course, or an analogous course maybe followed.

The primary shaft A, which. has to act on the brakes of the wheels of the vehicle is manufactured clutch-end keyslots as before and bears at its which permit the hub I of the rocker lever I to be rigidly keyed on its said The primary tubular shaft C rotation, (and a long hub P.

as the vehicle is running. To the clutchside end of this tubular rigidly secured the open drum H enclosing the rock end.

shaft A is surrounded by a which as before is held in rather slow rotation) as shaft Cis box-like clutcher lever I and its On this huh I there is rotatably mounted an operating plate L of a slightly different nature from that seenon Fig. 4.

At the opposite ends of said rocker I are again fastened spindles 'J are hinged,

clutch shoes adapting the free so as to receive of the operating are ada ted to means 0 special said free ends of the operating p with the axis of studs L which, a

part of the plate spondingly at radii notably shorter the Fig. 4. The springs eater etween the fingers J dles I owing to their small are placed on Fig. 4 namely hinging spin The studs L late L this ax to the places of t e ends of said clutch the pressure of the plate L, the clutch receive the pressures J situated between fingers lever 1 5 I on which the but instead of shoes studs shoes the shoes and the axis of the rocker lever I.

L, are now will be able to exert stronger pressures in the case of Fig.

them, said studs out substantially bored in projecti operating plate radii than those of and the is "coinciding s before, form a'n'integral laced, correfingers J, than in the case of K, on the contrary,

12( the radii than 4. In order to withstand 2 are embedded throu htheir whole length in ons of the hub L o L, their active pre hoes f the ssmg 13 clutch devised to parts being left freeas can be well understood by-the inspection of theFigures 9, 10, and 11.

The adjusting screw L is in the case of Figs. 9 and 11 disposed not parallelly to the surface of the operating plate L but in an oblique manner so that the recess in which one of the spindles I 'of the rocker arm I projects, (and which recess allows a limited play betwen the rocker lever I and the 0 erating plate L) may be less deep thanbe ore.

Finally the operating plate L is rotated by means of an alternative form of a rod comprising two members (M, M,)- with extremities oppositely threaded, a sleeve M having correspondingly threaded inner surfaces uniting the said rod members M, M.

As well known it sufiices to turn the sleeve in order: to shorten or lengthen a rod made of members such as M, M.

The sleeve M has means in order to permit this operation even Without the hel of a wrench, it compr izes also means w ich permit dispensing of the use of setting means. Such means comprize: a collar M on one of the said rod members M; a helical spring M abutting on said collar and surrounding the threaded part of the said rod member; a washer M axially slidable,

but not rotatably, mounted on the said rod member that it will be maintained by the spring M against one end of the sleeve M;-

edge like teeth on the washer and corresponding notches on the said end of the sleeve of such nature that the turning of the sleeve is possible only under a constantly acting torque but not under the effect of vibrations.

' The clutch-side rod member M may be attached to the periphery of the operating plate L instead of being attached to an auxiliary arm as such (1) seen in Fig. 4.

The Figs. 12, 13 and 14 show the alternative form of the clutch shoe comprizing means for the fastening of the finger. J and for placing hinging means for the springs K.

It is also evident that, as already stated, the invention is in no wise limited to any of the methods of application or construction which are specifically set forth in the above description, but on the contrary it comprises all. alternative forms, especially such as may pertain to the above-mentioned system, but with the interposition of a device between the member constituting the source of power, and the operative portion of the permit the ower member to cooperate efi'ectlvely in the raking of the vehicle, the said interposed device being no longerconstituted of a free wheel ratchet member, but by two similar ratchet members of respectively inverse action, these to be interposed in connection with a rotation inversing gear in such mannerthat the said power member or clutch drum shall always turn in the same direction and shall 00- operate in the brakin effect both on the backward as well as. t e forward drive of the vehicle.

I claim a 1. In a brakin system for vehicles, a lever adapted to act dlrectly on the brakes of said vehicle, a clutch operable by the transmission of said vehicle, means for engaging said clutch to co-act with said lever to apply the brakes to the vehicle when the ve-' lcle s in motion, and means for applying sa d brakes irrespective of said clutch when said vehicle is stationary. 1

2. In a braking device for a system having drivmg and driven mechanism, a brakmg device for said driven mechanism, means for connecting said driving mechanism with the braking device, comprising'a primary shaft operatively connected with the brakmg device and havin a rocker lever secured thereto, a secondary s aft rotatably mounted on-said primary shaft and-in driven connection with the driving mechanism, a clutch box on said secondary shaft and clutch shoes on said rocker lever adapted to be brought into contact with said clutch box.

3. In a braking device for a system havmg driving and driven mechanism, a brakmg device for said driven mechanism, means for connecting said driving mechanism with the braking device, comprising a primary shaft rotatably mounted and connected with the braking device, said primary shaft havmg clutch shoes secured thereto, a secondary shaft rotatabl mounted adjacent said primary shaft an having a clutch drum thereon adapted to cooperate with said clutch shoes to form a driving connection between said shafts, a freely rotatable ratchet wheel on said secondary shaft, means con.- nected with said drivin mechanism in driving relation with sairatchet wheel and means whereby said ratchet wheel is adapted to rotate said secondary shaft when the ratchet wheel is actuated in one direction and will idle thereon when actuated in the opposite direction.

4:. In a braking device for a system having driving and driven mechanism, a braking device for said driven mechanism, means for connecting said driving mechanism with the braking device, comprising a primar shaft rotatably mounted and connected wit the braking device, said primary, shaft having clutch shoes secured thereto, a secondary shaft rotatably and coaxially mounted on said primary shaft and having a clutch drum thereon adapted to cooperate with said clutch shoes to form a driving connec-v tion between said shafts, a freely rotatable ratchet wheel on said secondary shaft, means connected with said drivin driving relation with sai ratchet wheel and means whereby said ratchet wheel is adapted to rotate said secondary shaft when mechanism in lac I of said rum having studs extending therev ing from and adapted to act on said shoes when said plate is rotated in one direction to bring the shoes into braking contact with said drum and driving connection between said driving mechanism and said secondary shaft operab e only when the driving mechanism operates in-one direction.

6. In a braking device for a system havdrivin and driven mechanism, a brake for said riven mechanism, a rotatably mounted preliminary shaft, a cylindrical secondary shaft rotatably mounted on said primary shaft, said primary shaft being operatively connected with the brake and said secondary shaft being in driven nection with the driving mechanism, rocker arms on the .end of the primary shaft a clutch drum on the end of the secondary shaft open at one end, spindles extending from the rocker arms in parallelism with primary COIland I each other, clutch shoes ivoted to said spindles and spring presse away from the surface of said drum, a hub extending from said rocker arms, a plate rot'atably mount- I ed on said hub and resting against the open I y against aving recesses.

Plate and the drum when the plate is rotated, adjustable means in one of said recesses formm an abutment for one of said spindles, and means for rotating said plate.

7. In combination with a braking device I,

for wheels of power driven vehicles having brakes associated with both the driving wheels and with the dirigible wheels, means for applying said brakes through the power mechanism of the vehicle and comprising a shaft connected to said-brakes, a secondary I with said power mechanism, clutch members on each of said shafts, and means for bringing said members mto cooperative relation with each other, a third shaft attached to the driving wheel brakes and mechanism adapted to rotate said shaft to operate sai last named brakes independently of said. power mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

. MARC BIRKIGT.

shaft having driven connection 

